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SOCIAL SECURITY
War Pensions
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many (a) men and (b) women are in receipt of a war pension. [121477]
Mr. Bayley: The administration of the war pensions is a matter for the Chief Executive of the War Pensions Agency, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 17 May 2000:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) men and (b) women are in receipt of a war pension.
The latest data available is from 30th November 1999. The total number of war pensions in payment at that date was 299,124. This is comprised as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| War Disablement Pensions | |
| Women | 9,201 |
| Men | 234,390 |
| Widows/Widowers pensions | |
| Widows | 54,714 |
| Widowers | 7 |
| Others | 812 |
| Total | 299,124 |
The number of "others" include: 52 war orphans' pensions; 163 war parents' pensions, 23 adult dependants' pension; 1 unmarried dependant's pension; and 573 child allowances paid alone.
If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Housing Benefit (Scotland)
Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total estimated expenditure was
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on Housing Benefit in Scotland in (a) 1998-99 and (b) 1999-2000, for (i) public sector tenants, (ii) housing association tenants and (iii) other private sector tenants. [122089]
Angela Eagle: The information is in the table.
| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Local authority tenants | 700 | 709 |
| Registered social landlord tenants | 167 | 188 |
| Private rented sector tenants | 167 | 163 |
| Total Housing Benefit | 1,033 | 1,060 |
Note:
The figures for 1998-99 are an estimate and those for 1999-2000 are based on the latest forecast.
Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, for (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98 and (c) 1998-99, the gross expenditure on (i) rent allowances and (ii) rent rebates for each local authority in Scotland. [122088]
Angela Eagle: The information is in the table.
(1) No data available for Falkirk for 1998-99
(2) These authorities ceased to exist from 1997-98. Cumbernauld was absorbed into North Lanarkshire, Irvine into North Ayrshire and Livingston into West Lothian
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Mr. Gorrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account he will take in his reform of Housing Benefits of the differences between the English and Scottish housing systems; what plans he has to ensure that (a) tenants on the lowest incomes and (b) vulnerable households do not suffer financial loss from any changes to the Housing Benefit system; and what measures he plans to ensure that changes to Housing Benefit take account of other benefit and social policy reforms. [122086]
Angela Eagle: In our recent Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: A Decent Home For All" we acknowledge the importance of making sure that Housing Benefit and housing policies work together, and that the Government are sensitive to the housing policy aims and objectives of the devolved administrations.
Housing Benefit provides valuable support so that those with low incomes can meet their rent. A basic principle of any reform is that those who are most in need should continue to be able to afford reasonable rents.
We are determined to modernise Housing Benefit to improve customer service, tackle fraud and error and improve incentives to work. The Housing Green Paper contains proposals and ideas to reform Housing Benefit, and seeks the views of interested parties by 31 July 2000. We will take these views into account as we continue to work to improve Housing Benefit.
State Pension
Dr. George Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 8 May 2000, Official Report, column 275W, on the state pension, if he will identify separately the costs of (a) a £5 increase at 75-79 years and (b) a £10 increase at 80 years, if each increase were to be implemented without the other. [122251]
Mr. Rooker: The information is in the table.
| £ million | ||
|---|---|---|
| £5 increase at 75 | £10 increase at 80 | |
| Gross cost | 1,100 | 1,200 |
| Net cost after income-related benefits offset | 750 | 800 |
| Net cost after income-related benefits offset and taxation | 700 | 700 |
Notes:
1. Part (a) of this question has been interpreted as a £5 increase for all those aged 75 and above rather than 75-79, otherwise people would receive a £5 increase at 75 then lose it again at age 80.
2. All costs are in £ million, rounded to the nearest £50 million, and are for 2000-01. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
3. Other benefits, whose rates are linked to the basic State pension, are not included.
4. Gross costs estimated by the Government Actuary's Department.
5. Income-related benefits offsets estimated by Analytical Services Division, Department of Social Security.
6. Income tax receipts estimated by the Inland Revenue.
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